Legendary Venice: Doge's Palace, St Mark's & VIP Terrace Access
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
With skip-the-line tickets and an expert guide, you’ll explore Venice’s top two landmarks, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, in just two unforgettable hours. Wander the gilded council rooms in the Doge's Palace, cross the Bridge of Sighs, uncover enthralling stories of power and politics, and marvel at the golden mosaic ceiling in St. Mark's Basilica. Note: If you select the Private Legendary Venice option (max 6 people) or Legendary Venice with Terraces option at time of booking, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. These options have a tour duration of 3 hours.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
Due to the religious nature of St. Mark's Basilica, all individuals regardless of gender must cover their shoulders and knees. You can bring extra covering (scarves, etc) to put on just before entering St. Mark's. Walks cannot be held responsible for those denied entry.
Sites visited during this tour are subject to occasional closures due to holy observances, high tides, and/or flooding. If a site closes, your guide will tour the exterior of the site. If time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. If the local municipality restricts access due to high tide and there are no walkways available, it is the client’s responsibility to bring appropriate footwear (e.g., boots). For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
If access is restricted due to private events inside St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
Please note that a photo ID is required to visit the St. Marks Basilica. Failure to bring an ID can result in the security staff refusing your entrance to the monument.
If you select the Private Legendary Venice option (max 6 people) or Legendary Venice with Terraces option at time of booking, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire beautiful views from the balcony over St. Mark's Square. These tour departures are 3 hours.
What To Expect
Piazza San Marco
Begin in the world-famous St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) and take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking space laid out in front of you. Your guide will lay the foundation for your experience, setting the scene of centuries of Venetian history under the famed arched portico.
Palazzo Ducale
Start your day at Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace, home to the doge, or duke, of Venice and his seat of government. As your guide leads you through its grand chambers and council rooms, they'll point out paintings by renowned Venetian masters such as Veronese and Tintoretto. You'll hear how Venice was ruled from within these walls and about some of its famous prisoners, including Casanova. You'll even walk in their footsteps as you cross the Bridge of Sighs from the palace and into the grim New Prisons. Note: Step inside the Doge’s Palace before it opens to the public to wander the empty chambers—an exclusive early access experience only available on this tour’s 8AM departure. The 8AM tour also includes a tour of St. Mark's Basilica and special access to the terraces with incredible privileged views of St. Mark's Square.
Options
Legendary Venice No Terrace
St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's: Discover the Doge’s Palace and then skip the line into St. Mark's Basilica on this express English guided tour.
Private - Legendary Venice
Private Tour w/ Terrace: Explore Venice’s top attractions—St. Mark’s Basilica & terraces, and the Doge’s Palace—on a private English guided tour.
Legendary Venice with terraces
Small Group Tour in English: Venice’s top attractions—St. Mark’s Basilica w/ terraces, and the Doge’s Palace—Exclusive Doge's Palace Early Entry, 8AM only
Legendary Venice Spanish Tour
Spanish Group Tour(No Terrace): Join this Spanish language tour - explore Doge’s Palace & skip the line into St Mark’s Basilica on this 2-hour tour of Venice
What‘s Included
Pre-reserved ticket to the Doge's Palace (25 €)
Local English-speaking guide
Exclusive Early Entry to the Doge's Palace (8 AM only)
Exclusive access to the balcony of St. Mark's Basilica (if option selected)
Spanish Speaking guide (if option selected)
Skip-the-line ticket for St. Mark's Basilica (St. Mark's Basilica + Museum 24€)
Headsets when necessary
Gratuities
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Lunch
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Reviews
5,509 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
DOGE & St. Mark’s Tour
Explore13996842747,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Giuliano was an excellent tour guide! We really enjoyed the entire tour. Highly recommend!!
Walk through the church and palace
Daydream38766226014,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mr G was both hilarious and well informed, making jokes on the go as well as answering everyone’s extra questions with accuracy. Well worth the process.
Great!
kaitlynwY4223FO,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Giuliano was amazing! He was very knowledgeable and made this tour great. Would definitely recommend touring with Giuliano!
Amazing tourguide
Susan L,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Marina, was amazing. She was full of fun stories and interesting background information to add. We found her very witty and smart, and her talented storytelling filling us in with interesting details on every painting, sculpture, and architecture. It definitely helped the time go by faster in the hot humid weather of Venice. My family of 5 with 3 kids really enjoyed it and we absolutely recommend this tour.
Great experience
B4203PYkimberlyc,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Giuliano was very knowledgeable and fun to listen to! Gave clear directions to help keep the group together. Took pictures of our family for a great memory.
Doge and St. Marks
Beth T,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour and very informational! Guiliano was fantastic!
A must see when in Venice.
dorians655,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00St. Mark's was overwhelming (in a good way) with its mosaics, frescoes, etc. We were fortunate to be on the second floor to watch the bell tower chime on the hour. The Doge's Palace was equally overwhelming. What made the tour special was our tour guide, Mosé. He was a wealth of knowledge and he shared it with much enthusiasm.
Disappointment...watch those steps!
Susan F,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Many flights of stairs at Doge. Beautiful place. We were unable to make our 11:00 tour of the palace and Doge due to an illness and were unable to be placed in a later tour. Very disappointing, especially since we spent over 500 EU for the tour.
Guided tour is worth the cost!
OHSmalls,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nico is a trove of knowledge. The 2 hour tour was well- paced and easy to follow. I’m glad we chose a guided experience because we learned a lot. It was worth the money especially because we got to bypass lines and moved through the Basilica and palace with ease.
Not a good experience
Michele C,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The audio system did not work well and very hard to hear anything. Our tour guide was not tuned into the issues and just kept going. She spent a lot of time talking about the art in the palace but not about the function/purpose of the rooms. She lost the interest of our entire group very early.
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